15 Political Cartoon Drawing Ideas to Get You Started

by

Do you like using art to show what’s happening in the world? Do you enjoy sharing strong messages with just a few simple drawings? Political cartoons are a fun way to comment on important topics. They can make people think, laugh, or even feel uncomfortable.

They start conversations about big issues. But where do you start when drawing one? If you’ve ever had trouble coming up with ideas or just want some inspiration, this list is for you! Here are 15 political cartoon drawing ideas that cover topics like climate change, elections, and more to help you get creative.

Fast-Track Your Drawing Ability!

A pencil drawing course that specializes in taking beginners and teaching them how to draw in a realistic style. The course itself is online video, so you can access it from anywhere in the world...


1. Climate Change Tug of War

Idea Explanation: A tug of war between activists and business interests, showing the struggle over climate policy. It’s a strong image because it shows how different groups are fighting over climate issues. This idea is great for artists who want to talk about the environment and connect with people who care about sustainability.

Drawing Description: Two sides are playing tug of war. One side has climate activists (drawn as young people holding signs), and the other side has businessmen in suits, representing corporations.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw the ground line and a thick rope stretched across.
  2. Draw the climate activists on one side, with one person leaning back to show they’re pulling hard.
  3. Draw the businessmen on the other side, with exaggerated facial expressions showing arrogance or effort.
  4. Add details like signs or briefcases.
  5. Shade the drawing to show the tension between the two sides.

2. Spinning Globe as a Roulette Wheel

Idea Explanation: Show the Earth as a roulette wheel to highlight the risks of decisions about climate change and resources. This is a great idea for artists who like using visual metaphors about global issues.

Drawing Description: The Earth is drawn as a casino roulette wheel, with oil barrels and factory icons instead of numbers.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a big circle for the Earth.
  2. Add roulette wheel details like lines and sections.
  3. Add oil barrels, factories, and dollar signs instead of the usual roulette numbers.
  4. Draw a roulette ball landing on one of the risky sections.
  5. Shade the globe to make it look round and show the icons clearly.

3. The Balancing Act

Idea Explanation: Politicians often have to juggle many issues at once. Draw a politician balancing on a tightrope with different issues, like healthcare and education, balanced on sticks. This idea is great for artists who want to comment on government struggles.

Drawing Description: A politician is walking on a tightrope, balancing plates representing different issues.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a horizontal line for the tightrope.
  2. Draw the politician standing on the rope with their arms out.
  3. Draw plates balanced on sticks held by the politician.
  4. Label each plate with symbols like a cross for healthcare or a book for education.
  5. Add details like shaky legs or a worried face to show struggle.

4. The Mask of the Politician

Idea Explanation: Draw a politician holding a smiling mask, but their real face underneath looks worried or dishonest. This shows how some politicians hide their true feelings or intentions.

Drawing Description: A politician holds up a smiling mask, while their real face looks different.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a politician standing, holding a mask in front of their face.
  2. Draw the mask with a big smile.
  3. Draw the real face behind the mask, looking sad or dishonest.
  4. Add details like shadows to show the difference between the mask and the real face.
  5. Draw an audience or microphones to show they’re at a press event.

5. Democracy in Chains

Idea Explanation: Draw democracy as a person, like Lady Liberty, chained up by different groups. This shows how real democracy can be restricted by powerful interests.

Drawing Description: Lady Liberty is chained by people who represent corporations and special interest groups.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw Lady Liberty in the middle, looking distressed.
  2. Draw chains around her, held by men in suits.
  3. Label each figure holding the chains (e.g., corporations, lobbyists).
  4. Add details to show Lady Liberty struggling.
  5. Shade to make the scene look dramatic.

6. Social Media Puppeteer

Idea Explanation: Show how social media controls people’s opinions. Draw social media logos like birds or thumbs-up symbols acting as puppet masters.

Drawing Description: Giant social media icons control people like puppets with strings.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a large bird or thumbs-up icon at the top of the page.
  2. Draw strings hanging down from the icon.
  3. Draw several people attached to the strings, looking at their phones.
  4. Add details like notifications to make the scene more interesting.
  5. Shade to show the puppet effect clearly.

7. The Drowning Earth

Idea Explanation: Draw the Earth half underwater, with a small island where only rich people are partying. This shows rising sea levels and how resources aren’t shared equally.

Drawing Description: The Earth is sinking, with a tiny island on top where wealthy people are celebrating.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a half-submerged Earth.
  2. Draw a tiny island on top of it.
  3. Draw rich people lounging and celebrating.
  4. Add water lines to show the Earth sinking.
  5. Shade the Earth to add depth.

8. Voting Booth Trap

Idea Explanation: Show a voting booth that has a hidden bear trap underneath it, representing how people might feel tricked when they vote.

Drawing Description: A voting booth has a bear trap underneath it, just out of sight.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw the voting booth, open on one side.
  2. Draw a bear trap underneath, partly hidden.
  3. Draw a person about to step into the booth.
  4. Add election posters or signs to show it’s election season.
  5. Shade the trap to make it look sneaky.

9. Corporate Fat Cats

Idea Explanation: Draw corporate figures as fat, lazy cats sitting on piles of money, while regular people are weighed down by taxes. This shows the idea of greed.

Drawing Description: Fat cats with dollar signs sit on piles of cash, while people below struggle.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw big, fat cats sitting on piles of cash.
  2. Add dollar signs to the piles of money.
  3. Draw smaller figures below, struggling with heavy tax bags.
  4. Draw scattered tax papers around them.
  5. Shade the cats and cash to show the difference between rich and poor.

10. Political Pendulum

Idea Explanation: Draw a pendulum swinging between two extremes, labeled “Left” and “Right.” This shows the constant shift in political trends.

Drawing Description: A giant pendulum swings between two platforms labeled “Left” and “Right.”

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw the stand for the pendulum.
  2. Draw two platforms on either side, labeling them.
  3. Draw the pendulum swinging with exaggerated movement.
  4. Add arrows to show the direction it’s moving.
  5. Shade to make the swinging look more dramatic.

11. Peace Shattered

Idea Explanation: Draw a dove with an olive branch, shattered by a missile. This shows how war destroys peace.

Drawing Description: A dove is hit by a missile, breaking it apart.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a dove flying.
  2. Draw a missile coming into the scene.
  3. Draw the pieces of the dove breaking apart.
  4. Add the olive branch falling from the dove’s beak.
  5. Shade to make the moment look dramatic.

12. Polar Bear on a Melting Ice Cube

Idea Explanation: Draw a sad polar bear sitting on a tiny ice cube, showing how their habitat is disappearing due to climate change.

Drawing Description: A polar bear sits on a small ice cube in the middle of the ocean, looking sad.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw the ocean line.
  2. Draw a small ice cube in the water.
  3. Draw a sad polar bear sitting on the ice cube.
  4. Draw water dripping off the ice cube.
  5. Shade the ocean for depth.

13. Fake News Microphone

Idea Explanation: Draw a microphone with tangled wires labeled “Fake News,” showing how misinformation messes up true reporting.

Drawing Description: A reporter holds a microphone with tangled wires labeled “Fake News.”

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a reporter’s hand holding a microphone.
  2. Draw tangled wires wrapped around the microphone.
  3. Label the wires “Fake News.”
  4. Add a press conference background with cameras.
  5. Shade to make the tangled wires look messy.

14. Public vs. Private Health

Idea Explanation: Draw two hospitals side by side: one is shiny and well-funded, and the other is run-down. This shows healthcare inequality.

Drawing Description: One hospital is clean and modern, while the other is broken and neglected.

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a line to divide the two sides of the scene.
  2. On one side, draw a clean, modern hospital.
  3. On the other side, draw a worn-down, broken hospital.
  4. Draw people going into both hospitals to show the difference.
  5. Shade the rundown hospital for contrast.

Can Civil War Themes Be Used as Political Cartoon Drawing Ideas?

Civil war themes provide a rich foundation for political cartoons, offering a way to critique modern conflicts and power struggles. By adapting historical motifs, artists can comment on contemporary issues like division and leadership. Civil war cartoon ideas serve as a creative lens to explore themes of unity and discord in society.

15. The Giant Debt Backpack

Idea Explanation: Draw a person carrying a giant backpack labeled “National Debt,” struggling to move. This shows how debt weighs people down.

Drawing Description: A person is bent over under a huge backpack labeled “Debt.”

Step-by-Step Drawing Instructions:

  1. Draw a person hunched over.
  2. Draw a big backpack on their back.
  3. Label the backpack “National Debt.”
  4. Add sweat and strain marks to show the effort.
  5. Shade the backpack to make it look heavy.

Conclusion

Political cartoons can take complex ideas and turn them into powerful visuals. Each of these ideas can help you bring awareness to different political issues, entertain people, and start important conversations. Choose the one that speaks to you, and have fun using your art to make a difference!